donaf Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 My brother has been feeling very depressed. A few months back he wanted to do some work to his house. New windows were installed, his screened back porch was turned to a new room, house was painted. All through the remodeling he sat nearby watching the workers and making sure they did a good quality job. Towards the end of the project he seemed to be getting more and more anxious for the workers to complete the job. Now that it is done he is very depressed and has mentioned that he wanted to see the work completed because he did not want to know that his wife and their kids would have to deal with home repairs for a while. He no longer shows the fighting spirit he had and just seems very tired. His wife seems very tired as well and we are all so scared. We feel that while his home project was going on he was fighting so hard to be able to get up and watch the workers and he even ventured out to pick out tile one day. Now, Physically, he does not look well he is weak. His last scans showed that the cancer has spread so the last few months of chemo did not help. They are trying a new chemo and if that fails they are talking about Iressa. He is being referred to USC (university of Southern California) to see another Onc there, his appointment is this Friday. Please include my brother Rod in your prayers. Thank you. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Prayers to Rod, you and his whole family. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betplace Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Hugs and Prayers going out to you all. I pray the new chemo works for him, the good news is, he is not out of options. Blessings Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 D, My thoughts and prayers are with your brother and you. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Prayers for Rob, his family, and you too. Hope the next chemo improves things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Prayers that the new chemo is successful. Is your brother on an antidepressant? Many cancer patients are. My husband is on 20mg of Lexapro. Sometimes you have to try more than 1 to find the one that works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 God bless you and your brother and your families. Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 The battle against this beast is a horrific battle and one can easily feel like giving up.But with a new battle plan and a few word's of hope from the university ONC your brother along with his wife will feel a renewed spirit.My prayers like many other's are with you guy's...... Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Prayers for your brother and all of the family. I am so glad that he is going to USC...a friend of mine is a contributor to the cancer center there and is always giving me their newletters. It is a fine and impressive medical facility and that is a big part of the overall picture. Blessings, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I know how he feels. I start a project like organizing pics, closets, legal papers etc. I do this so the family won't have to do this after I am gone I am now on an anti-depressant celexa and it has helped. I still have to have projects to keep me busy, church act, a benevolence agency I work with weekly. Maybe there is something he can do. I write lots of cards to the ones who are ill in our church-etc. Is he a member of a VFW, Moose, Elks club?? They always need people to help with vol. projects. I will pray for him and your family. He needs to feel needed. Love Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I am sure he is trying to make sure things are in order. Cindy is right, maybe there is something else he can do now that the house is in order. Those of us who worked and enjoyed our work, find it hard not to be doing something useful and productive. (I know I do). I will keep him in my thoughts. elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I think we all need goals to work toward, especially when we have a threatening disease. it gives us the will to fight on. I agree your brother needs a new focus. He is in my prayers. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 D, Prayers for your brother and his family. God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyridge Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I will keep him in my daily prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 My heart goes out to you. I will be praying for you and your brother. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Prayers going for renew strength for your brother. find another project that could get him out of his down mood. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Prayers going out to you and your family. It is so difficult watching the ones we love in physical and emotional pain. Gail P-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 I hope all goes well for your brother at his appointment. There are still options. Hang in there.. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaf Posted August 18, 2004 Author Share Posted August 18, 2004 Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement and especially for your prayers. My brother did have a better day yesterday. He is on anti depressants and I know he has tried different ones. His wife feels they are not helping though. He called me last night and was able to talk for a while. He has a cough that sometimes prevents him from talking it gets so bad it makes him weak and he has to lay down because he gets dizzy - but now that he is back on oxygen it has gotten a little better. Thanks Margaret for the info on USC. We had heard a lot about UCLA not a whole lot about USC. Thank you all once again and please know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers. Regards, D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 18, 2004 Share Posted August 18, 2004 Praying that the new treatment will be successful!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tess Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 I am so sorry, my husband went thru the same things he is going thru. All I can say is that you need to be real with him, if he feels he is dying and if everyone can just let him know how much they love him and acknowledge that, it is so much easier for them ( and him). He will know its ok and that hefought a hard and long battle, but its time to surrender to God and trust in him to keep is promise that he will always be with him. My husband was scared to let go. I told him about 36 hours before he died that if he wanted to go to just go towards the light, and you know what happened? He opened his eyes and looked straight up for about 5 seconds and then closed his eyes again. I know he saw heaven waiting for him, he just didn't want to leave. So I had to reasure him it was ok to go. That was the last time he opened his eyes. So he finally just let go and let God. Peace be with your family. Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 Prayers going up. I see that it has only been a year since all this started. On TV yesterday they were saying that post traumatic stress in the people coping with hurricane Charlie could last even 2 yrs. I venture to say that post being told you have lung cancer lasts at least 2 yrs. Emotionally it is very draining. Most of us need antidepressents, and a good support group to "talk it out" is a big help. Keep us posted. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyCW Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 D, I'm sorry to hear this and will definitely keep your brother Rod in my prayers. I want to also echo that USC's cancer center is excellent, really one of the best in the country. I know many people who have been treated there, successfully and with a great amount of care for the patient as a person, not just as an illness to treat. I hope your brother has this experience as well, and that the doctor can give your brother and all of you some new hope on Friday. BeckyCW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted August 22, 2004 Share Posted August 22, 2004 Prayers for Rod and family have been said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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